Now I'm back from an incredible adventure in Gauteng in South Africa. And yes, I have seen lions, zebras, wild dogs, elephants, rhino aso aso aso - wild and free in the vast game researve. Felt sometimes as if I was part of a TV-programme - quite unreal and oh so beautiful!!
But the most important was the conversations with the "regular" people; the waiters and cleaners at the hotel, our drivers and others. I have learned very much about a country with a society that is quite different from the life situation we have here in Northern Europe.
OT made some situations almost unbearable.. Part of the trip was a seminar/AGM with functions and meetings. A dinner in the bush was intended to be a networking opportunity around food and barbeque. But I had to sit apart from the group at a table. With company yes, but I wanted to be with the others!! Several situations happened where I had to go away and sit down - after a bit more and more people understood and learned about OT, but it is still frustrating.
In another situation we were walking in a cheetah sanctuary with huge cages for the cheetah. Oh how beautiful they are, and how sad that these sanctuaries are needed... Anyway, I had brought my stick and managed quite ok leaning on that and walking around a bit when the shakes started - thereby being able to listen to the guide.
It was clear that I managed to stand longer here, than in the barbecue crowded situation. The possibility to choose to lean or walk and having space does make a difference. Can it be that with stress the medication is not working so well? Perhaps the brain signals to start the tremor is stronger with stress and thus bypass the medication?? I think so..
I did not go on the game walk, knowing it would be impossible to "stop! Look at the impalas just there" - sad. But game drives in a jeep is very nice too.
One museum that I visited was very interesting, a huge mansion with furniture and things, left as it was when the people lived in it. This is something I enjoy very much - but it was very difficult. The victorian style is a bit crowded and there were no chairs to sit on for visitors of course. We rushed there to just managing to reach the last viewing, so no time to talk to the guide and ask for a portable seat. As the rooms were not sealed off, it was possible for me to discreetly walk to the other side of the bedroom and lean carefully against the bed for support! A hand on a doorpost here and there also helped. But it was hard, tiring and quite stressful. However, the museum was sooo nice it was all worth it. But I have to try and remember that museums like this is not exactly the very best for me.
So - to summarise: a new thought for me is that stressful situations probably bypasses the Gabapentin that usually helps so well.. I'll ask my neurologist about it when I see her later in October.
Oh, almost forgot: lot's of help in airports and this time it was bearable. I'm learning!
Warmest greetings to you all from a chilly Stockholm - autumn is here!
the nutty one
) and also about my trip to the Alps (and about shopping! 
)